Timing mechanism



C. CRETORS.

TIMI'NG MECHANISNI.

APPLlcA'IloN HLEu sumzo. 1910.

Patented July 8, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Ira/6212507@ ares ffeof,

Tm: coLuMnM r'LANouRMH cn.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

C. CRETORS.

TIMING NIECHANISM.

APPLICAHUN FILED sEPT.2o.|91n.

xmw-

C. CRE'TORS.

TIMING MECHANISM. APPLICAHON rlLEu shvhzo. |918.

1,309,564. Patented July 8, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' 23 WWII/W 5 722,102@ gm' Larlas Creer@ C, CRETORS. TIMING'MECHANISM.

APPLICAIION HLED SHLZO, 19H1.

Patented July 8, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

tiNiTED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

CHARLES CRETORS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TIMING MECHANISM.

Application led September 20. 1918.

To all whom 1f/may conce/rn:

Be it known that I, CHARLES CREToRs, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Timing Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to timing mechanisms for controlling the cycle of movements of automatically operating corn popping apparatus, such as constitutes the subject matter of my prior Patents, No. 1,201,807, of October 17, 1916, and No. 1,279,663, of September 241th, 1918, and has for its object:

To provide a structural formation and combination of parts whereby the periodic semi-revolutions of the popping pan and its heating accessories, with the accurate locking of said parts in proper position after each movement, is attained in a certain and effective manner, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1, is a rear elevation of a corn popping apparatus similar to that of my aforesaid Patent No. 1,201,807, and to which the present improvement is applied.

Fig..2, is an enlarged vertical section of the operating mechanisms of the apparatus, illustrating the inter-controllable connections thereof.

Fig. 3, is a detail perspective view of the holding dog which is operatively associated with the timing mechanism in the control of the mechanism by which the semi-revolutions of the popping pan is effected.

Fig. 4l, is a transverse sectional elevation on line X4-X4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation showing the rear face of the mutilated bevel gear wheel of the popping pan and the cam. formations associated with said gear Wheel.

Fig. 6, is a detail sectional elevation illustrating` the ratchet disk of the timing 1nech anism, and the operating and holding means of said disk.

Fig. 7, is a detail perspective view of the driven pinion by which the timing mechanism is operated.

F ig'. 8, is a detail transverse sectional elevation of said pinion and associated parts.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, are series of detail transverse sectional elevations, illustrating the progressive steps er positions of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

Serial No. 254,947.

the parts in automatic movements of the timing and associated mechanisms.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a tubular supporting post or frame carrying a horizontally arranged tubular sleeve or bracket 2 on which is revolubly mounted the fixedly connected fuel burner 3 and popping pan -1 of the apparatus, and to which burner and popping pan semi-revolutions are imparted by the automatically controlled mechanisms hereinafter described in detail.

I designates the fixed top or hood of the popping pan, of a truncated cone form and having a central top opening for the discharge of the popped corn, with said opening closed by a movable cover 5 adapted for operation by means hereinafter described. y

6 designates a laterally disposed neck on the hood l for the introduction of a supply of raw corn into the popping pan 4f. from a supply hopper 7, as described in detail in my prior Patent No. 1,279,663, aforesaid.

8 designates a mutilated bevel gear wheel fixedly attached to the carrying hub of the fuel burner 3 and popping 4pan l aforesaid and having diametrically opposed primary gaps 9 in the toothed formation of the wheel, and like dizunetrieally opposed secondary gaps or recesses 10 arranged in adjacent relation to said primary gaps, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5.

11 and 12 designate primary and secondary cam wings fixed to the gear Wheel 8 in adjacent circular relation to the primary gaps 9 aforesaid, with the primary cam wing 11 having a greater lift than the secondary cam wing 12 for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

13 and 14 designate trailing members or dogs pivotally associated with the aforesaid cam wings 11 and 12, and each formed with an angular socket or recess 15 in its top, with an inturned toe 16 to the rear of said recess 15, and with a detent or heel 17 on its straight underside, as shown.

18 designates the primary driving shaft of the apparatus, receiving motion from a suitable power source and preferably arranged in the interior of the tubular supporting post 1, as shown.

19 designates a eountershaft arranged in parallel relation to the primary shaft 18 and having operative connection therewith through a pair of gear wheels 20 and 21 on the respective shafts, with the gear wheel 21 on the countershaft 19 having a cam for# mation 22 on its upper side for the function hereinafter Vset forth. The-upper end of the countershaft 19 is adapted for operative connection withv the cover operating mechanism of the apparatus, and prefeI-, ably by means described `in detail in my companion application Serial. No. 254,948 aforesaid. f

23 designates a bevel pinion xed on .the countershaft 19 and adapted for operative engagement with the aforesaid mutilated bevel gear wheel 8 to impart successive semirevolutions to the same, and at the end of each semi-revolution to cease operative engagement and rotate independently in one or the other of the aforesaid gaps 9 until restored to operative engagement by the automatic means hereinafter described.

In the present structure the pinion 23 is formed with a recess 24 in its upper surface and in line with the under surface of the trailing dogs 13, 14 aforesaid, so that at the proper'periods in the operation of the mechanism the heel or detent 17 Vof a trailing dog may drop into said recess 24 to establish operative engagement between the pinion 23 and the gear wheel 8 to effect a partial rotation of the wheel 8 and move a gap or mutilation 9 thereofpast the bevel pinion and bring the toothedV formation ofthe wheel 8 into rengagement with the pinion 23 to complete a semi-revolution of said gear wheel 8 and associated parts.

25 designates a ratchet disk journaled on the supporting post 1 and adapted to receive a step by step rotation from the cam formation 22 above described through an inintermediate mechanism as` follows:

26 designates a ratchet lever pivoted on a stud 27 on the supporting post 1 and having a main operatingarm 28 and an angularly arranged detent or tooth 29 for engagement with the teeth of the ratchet disk 25 aforesaic.

30 designates a holding pawl lpivoted on the supporting post 1 and adapted to engage and hold the ratchet disk 25 against retrograde movement. Said holding pawl 30 is yieldingly held to its engagement by a spring 31 interposed between said pawl and the ratchet lever 2G as shown in Fig. 6.

32 designates a'sliding rod guided vertically on the supporting post l with its lower end in operative engagement with the cam formation 22 heretofore described, and with its upper end adapted for operative engagement beneath the main arm of the ratchet lever 26 to impart movement in one direc- Y tion to the same.

33 and 34 designate operating studs disposed in circular spaced relation on one side ofthe ratchet disk 25 and. adapted in the progressive rotation of saiddisk to successively operate the pawl member or holding dog now to bel described. Y

35 designates the holding dog above referred to, pivotally mounted on the supporting post 1 and formed at one end with a lateral toe or detent 36 adaptedzat'proper intervals in the operation of the apparatus to engage in a secondary gap or recess 10'in the bevel gear wheel Y8 to` lock the same against rotation.v At its other end the holding dog 35 is" formed with a point or toe 37 adapted for engagement beneath the hereinafter described vertically movable head to hold ythe same in a raised condition at proper periods in the operation of thev apparatus. Adjacent to the toe'37 the holding dog is provided with a pin or projection 38 arranged in the path of the operating. studs 33, 34 of the ratchet disk 25 so as to be operated thereby at proper intervals in the rotation of said ratchet disk. Intermediate its length the holding dog 35 is formed with a pair of cam surfaces 39, 40, one higher than the other, and arranged side by side for operative engagement with the trailing dogs 13, 14 aforesaid, at properperiods in the operation of the apparatus.

41 designates a vertically movable head preferably arranged as asliding head on the countershaft 19 aforesaid and yieldingly moved in a downward direction by a spring 42. At its upper end the head 41 has operative connection with the cover actuating mechanism of the apparatus as set forth in my aforesaid companion application, Ser. N o. 254,948, while its lower end is provided with a bearing pin or point 43 arranged in the path of the trailing dogs 13, 14 and adapted for operative engagement therewith.

44 designates a depending loop member carried by a stud 45 on the movable head 41 and having engagement with the main arm 28 of the ratchet lever 26 to lift the same out of engagement with its actuating rod 32, when said head 41 is in its fully raised position, to render the present timing mechanism inoperative during the described raised conditionv of the head 41 aforesaid.

As in my companion application Ser. No. 254,948, the vertically movable head 41 is adapted to receive positive upward movement from the operating mechanism of the' Cil ratchet lever aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

2. A timing mechanism for corn popping apparatus, comprising a driving pinion, a mutilated gear Wheel receiving intermittent semi-revolutions from said pinion, means associated with said gear wheel for rengaging the same with the pinion after each semirevolution, a timing mechanism con'iprising a ratchet disk carrying a pair of circularly spaced studs adapted .for operative engagement with the aforesaid rengaging means and ratchet lever operatively associated with the ratchet disk, a cam formation rotating in unison with the aforesaid pinion and having operative engagement With the ratchet lever aforesaid, a movable head connected to the timing mechanism and adapted to render the same inoperative when said head is in a raised condition, and means for imparting intermittent movement to said head substantially as set forth.

3. A timing mechanism for corn popping apparatus, comprising a driving pinion, a mutilated gear Wheel receiving intermittent semi-revolutions from said pinion, means associated with said gear Wheel for re'engaging the same with the pinion after each semirevolution, a timing mechanism comprising a ratchet disk carrying a pair of circularly spaced studs adapted for operative engagement With the aforesaid rengaging means and a ratchet lever operatively associated with the ratchet disk, a cam formation rotating in unison With the aforesaid pinion and having operative engagement With the ratchet lever aforesaid, a movable head connected to the timing mechanism and adapted to render the same inoperative When said head is in a raised condition, means for imparting 'intermittent movement to said head comprising cam Wings moving in unison with the aforesaid mutilated gear Wheel, and a holding dog adapted to engage and hold said head in a raised condition and provided with an operating means arranged in the path of the studs on the ratchet disk aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

il. A timing mechanism for corn popping apparatus, comprising a driving pinion, a mutilated gear Wheel receiving intermittent semi-revolutions from said pinion, means associated with said gear Wheel for rengaging the same with the pinion after each semirevolution, a timing mechanism comprising a ratchet disk carrying a pair of circularly spaced studs adapted for operative engagement With the aforesaid rengaging means and a ratchet lever operatively associated with the ratchet disk, a cam formation rotating in unison with the aforesaid pinion and having operative engagement With the ratchet lever aforesaid, a movable head connected to the timing mechanism and adapted a ratchet disk carrying a pair to render the same inoperative when said head is in a raised condition, dual means for imparting intermittent movements to said head comprising a moving member of the apparatus having a lifting arm adapted for lifting engagement With said head, and cam wings moving in unison with the aforesaid mutilated gear whecl, and a holding dog adapted to engage and hold said head in a raised condition and provided with an operating means arranged in the path of the studs on the ratchet disk aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

5. A timing mechanism for corn popping apparatus, comprising a driving pinion, a mutilated gear wheel receiving intermittent seini-revolutions from said pinion, means associated with said gear Wheel for rengaging the same with the pinion after each semi-revolution, a timing mechanism comprising a ratchet disk carrying a pair of circularly spaced studs adapted for operative engagement with the aforesaid rengaging means and a ratchet lever operatively associated with the ratchet disk, a cam formation rotating in unison with the afore- -said pinion and having operative engagement with the ratchet lever aforesaid, a movable head connected to the timing mechanism and adapted to render the same inoperative when said head is in a raised condition, means for imparting intermittent movement to said head comprising cam wings moving in unison with the mutilated gear Wheel aforesaid, trailing dogs pivotcd to said cam wings and provided With engaging detents, the driving pinion having a recess in its upper surface for operative engagement With said detents of the trailing dogs, and a holding dog adapted for engagement beneath the aforesaid head and having a cam surface for supporting said trailing dogs and operating means arranged in the path of the studs of the ratchet disk aforesaid, snbstantially as set forth.

6. A timing mechanism for corn popping apparatus, comprising a driving pinion, a mutilated gear Wheel receiving intermittent semi-revolutions from said pinion, means associated with said gear Wheel for reingaging the same with the pinion after each semirevolution, a timing mechanism comprising of circularly spaced studs adapted for operative engagement With the aforesaid rengaging means and a ratchet lever operatively associated with the ratchet disk, a cam formation rotating in unison with the aforesaid pinion and having operative engagement with the ratchet lever aforesaid, a movable head connected to the timing mechanism and adapted to render the same inoperative when said head is in a raised condition, means for imparting intermittent movement to said head be in driving engagement with the bevel gear 8 as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10, and effecting a positive semi-revolution of the bevel gear wheel 8-to turn the popping pan 4 to an inverted or dumping position. With such engagement of the parts the free end of the holding dog 35 is at rest against a vertical side of the movable headV 41 and held thereby in an inactivev condition. Continued movement of the bevel gear wheel 8 brings the secondary cam Wing 12 into yoperative engagement beneath the movable head 41 to lift the same vertically, as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, so that the free end of the holding dog 35i may Vmove beneath the headV mutilation or gap 9 moves into the path of the driving pinion 23 to terminate the operative connection between said pinion and the bevel gear wheel 8 leaving the same in a stationary condition, of the parts the toe or detent 36 of the holding dog 35 has movedv into engagement with a gap or recesslO ofthe bevel gear 8 to additionally holdV the same at its proper point of rest or stoppage as illustrated in Fig 11. In the above described: movement of the parts the underside of the trailing dog 14, rides upon the cam surface 39 of thek holding dog 35 during the initial travel, and in the final travel the end toe 16 of said trailing dogv 14 rides upon the cam surface 40 and comesto final rest upon the end portion of said cam surface 40 to support the head 41 resting thereon, thenmoves downward until the under surface of the dog 14 trailingdog in proper position during its supporting engagement with` the movable head 41 heretofore described.

With a step by step rotation of the ratchet disk 25 its primary stud 33 comes in contact with and moves this holding dog 35 from its engagement beneath the movable head 41 as illustrated in Fig. 12, and in such movement of the holding dog 35, its cam surface 40moves out of supporting engagement beneath the toe 16 of the trailing dog 14 as illustrated in Fig. 13.

The trailing `dog 14, with the movable reaches and rides upon the 'top of the bevel pinion 23, which in its continued rotation brings the recess or gap 24 in its to Y surface into operative engagement with tlrfe detent or heel 17 of the'trailin dog 14 to impart to the same and to the 2(bevel gearwheel 8 a partial turning movement sufficient to reand in such condition vmove the above mentioned mutilation 9 out of theV path of the bevel pinion 23 and restore operative engagement between saidVV pinion and the bevelgear wheel 8. A succeeding semi-revolution similar' to that above described takes place to restore the popping pan and toan upright or popping position, with the secondary studs'34, and primary cam wing 11 and its accessories acting in like manner to the primary stud 33 and secondary cam 14, in the foregoing description.

In the present construction the movable head 41 when at the limit of its upward stroke under the iniiuence of either cam wing 13 or 14, is'adapted through the depending loop 44 to lift the ratchet lever 26 outof the path of its operating rod 32 and thus stop further rotation ofthe ratchet disk 25 of the timing mechanism. In the case ofthe secondary cam wing 14 and the operation of the popping pan controlled thereby, such stoppage of the timing mechanism is only temporary in that the head 41, after such upward stroke, immediately descends onto the holding dog, 35 and in such position of the head 41 the ratchet lever 26 is restored or lowered into operative condition.

In the case of the primary cam wing 13,

such stoppage of the timing mechanism will 41 will be held at a raised position imposing an inoperative condition upon the timing mechanism, While the pan cover 5 is in its closed position during the corn popping operation of the apparatus. Such raised position of the head 41'being imposed by the crank arm 48 on the cover carrying arm 47 having operative engagement beneath the shoulder 49 of the rod 46 to which the head 41-is attached.

The greater lift of the primary cam wing 13 over that of the secondary cam wing 14, is intended to effect theadditional function of releasing the automatic cover moving mechanism of the apparatus, and is fully described and claimed in my aforesaid companion application Ser. No. 254,948.

Having thus fully described` my said invention, what I claim as new and, desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A timing mechanism for corn popping apparatus, comprising a driving pinion, a mutilated gear wheel receiving intermittent semi-revolutions from said pinion, means associated with said gear wheel for rengaging the same with the pinion after each semirevolution, a timing mechanism comprising a ratchet disk carrying a pair of circularly spaced studs` adapted for operative engagement with the aforesaid rengaging means and a ratchet lever operatively associated with theV ratchet disk, and a cam formation rotating unison with the aforesaid pinion and'having operative engagement with the comprising cam 'Wings moving in unison with the mutilated gear wheel aforesaid, trailing dogs pivoted to said cam wings and provided With engaging detents ou their under surfaces and with holding recesses in their upper surfaces adapteffl for supporting engagement With the aforesaid movable head, the driving pinion having a recess in its top surface for operative engageu'ient with the detents of the trailing dogs, and a, holding dog adapted for engagement beneath the aforesaid head and having a cam surface for supporting said trailing dogs and an operating means arranged in the path of the studs of the ratchet disk aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

7. A timing mechanism for corn popping apparatus comprising a driving pinion, a mutilated gear Wheel receiving intermittent semi-revolutions from said pinion, means associated with said gear wheel for reengaging the same with the pinion after each semi-revolution, a timing mechanism comprising a ratchet disk carrying a pair of circularly spaced studs adapted for operative engagement With the aforesaid rengaging means and a ratchet lever operatively associated with the ratchet disk, a cam formation rotating` in unison With the aforesaid pinion and having operative engagement with the ratchet lever aforesaid, a movable head connected to the timing mechanism and adapted to render the same inoperative when said head is in a raised condition, means for imparting intermittent movement to said head comprising cam Wings moving in unison with the aforesaid mutilated gear Wheel, and a holding dog adapted to engage and hold said head in a raised condition and having a detent at one end adapted for serial engagement in diametrically opposed recesses in the mutilated gear Wheel aforesaid, said holding dog having at its other end an operating means arranged in the path of the studs of the ratchet disk aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

8. A timing mechanism for corn popping apparatus, comprising a driving pinion, a mutilated gear wheel receiving intermittent soun-revolutions from said pinion, means associated with said gear wheel for rengaging the same with the pinion after each semirevolution, a timing mechanism comprising a ratchet disk carrying a pair of circular-ly spaced studs adapted for operative engagement with the aforesaid reengaging means and a ratchet lever operatively associated with the ratchet disk, a cam formation rotating in unison with the aforesaid pinion and having operative engagement with the ratchet lever aforesaid, a movable head connected to the timing mechanism and adapted to render the same inoperative when said head is in a raised condition, means for imparting intermittent movement to said head comprising cam wings moving in unison with the mutilated gear wheel aforesaid, trailing dogs pivoted to said cam wings and provided with engaging detents on their under surfaces and holding recesses in their upper surfaces adapted for supporting engagement with the aforesaid movable head, the driving pinion having a recess in its top surface for ope 'ative engagement with the detents of the trailing dogs, and a holding dog adapted to engage and hold said head in a raised condition and having a detent at one end adapted for serial engagement in diametrically opposed recesses in the mutilated gear wheel aforesaid, said holding dog having at its other end an operating means arranged in the path of the studs of the ratchet disk aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 16th day of September, 1918.

CHARLES CRETORS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

